Invest in Africa (IIA) is a collaboration of private companies, public bodies and donor organizations that support local African businesses by creating access to markets, skills, and finance. IIA established Business Linkage Programme (BLP), a capacity-building and mentoring initiative that offers SMEs tools needed to improve their entrepreneurial, managerial, and technical proficiencies.

In 2014, Kweku Hayford established KH3 Inc., an Accra-based construction project management firm, which specializes in commercial and residential interior decoration. In 2015, KH3 became interested in attracting high profile and high value corporate clients. That was when they enlisted for the BLP.

Through the BLP, they learnt how to sharpen success in an exemplary leadership. Additionally, they have learnt about the importance of goal setting, planning, and forecasting. They also reveal that the programme has helped them understand their areas of strength and weakness.

The team has noticed a significant improvement since joining the BLP. “We changed the way we worked by applying what we learned” Kweku adds. “Scrutinizing expenses more effectively to guarantee we obtain value for the money we spend has helped eliminate leakages in our revenue stream.” As a result, salaries have climbed by 50%, the number of employees has grown from twelve to eighteen, and they have even purchased property that serve as their new office and showroom. Read More